Konami apologizes to outraged gamers amid a myriad of controversies

Last week, gaming giant Konami issued an apology to fans outraged by the company’s supposed “mobile first policy.”

In an interview, Konami CEO Hideki Hayakawa stated that the company’s “main platform will be mobile,” leading many to believe that the company would move away from the well-known and beloved console titles — see: “Metal Gear Solid,” “Silent Hill.” In reality, Hayakawa’s words experienced a serious mistranslation. The full interview clarifies that Konami wishes to expand their reach to consumers, which means developing more mobile games, but not committing to only that aspect of the industry.

Alone, this recent controversy would seem minor, but Konami has experienced one setback after another in recent months.

One of Konami’s flagship game franchises is “Metal Gear Solid.” The landmark series innovated the stealth-gaming franchise and paved the way for contemporary classics, such as “Splinter Cell” and “Assassin’s Creed.” The upcoming edition, “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain,” looks to like an ambitious effort from the company, but has been marred by a myriad of controversies.

“Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain” is generating hype upon its release, however, faces criticism for its inherently sexist female characters. (news.toyark.com)

For one, the game has many up in arms for its sexist depiction of a female sniper named Quiet, whose promotional action figure features actual squeezable breasts. Another incident revolves around the replacement of fan favorite voice actor, David Hayter, with actor Kiefer Sutherland for the game’s protagonist. Most recently, the departure of legendary creator Hideo Kojima from Konami caused a stir, as Kojima has been a driving force behind the successful series since the 1980’s.

The company has issued a statement to fans, publicly apologizing for causing “a great deal of anxiety” among consumers. That verbiage seems to undersell magnitude of the serious missteps Konami has made over the last year alone. Fans want to know that companies they care about will reward their loyalty. In gamer terms: how many lives does Konami really have left?

What do you think of the recent controversies surrounding Konami? Are you still a loyal fan? Comment below or tweet @connerws to tell us what you think about this!

About Conner Schwerdtfeger

A recent graduate from Chapman University, Conner aspires to tell stories that not only engage, but inform and inspire readers around the world. Growing up in the highly active culture of San Diego, he has a passion for adventure and is always looking for new and interesting experiences. Fun is the name of the game, and he holds firm to the idea that a day without laughter is a day wasted. He has a passion for fitness, and when not at his desk can most likely be found hiking or swimming. He reports on a wide variety of topics for MUIPR, with an emphasis on entertainment and current events. Follow on Twitter @connerws.